Jesse Darling, Turner Prize Winner with Delirious at Towner Easbourne. Photo: Victor Frankowski

Turner Prize Winner Jesse Darling takes the spotlight as he receives the coveted GBP 25,000 prize that honors his outstanding talent.

ARTCENTRON NEWS

LONDON, UK-In a momentous ceremony at Eastbourne’s Winter Garden, adjacent to Towner Eastbourne, Jesse Darling was crowned the winner of the prestigious Turner Prize 2023. This coveted GBP 25,000 prize not only honors Darling’s outstanding talent but also spotlights the excellence that defines contemporary British art.

The Turner Prize 2023 jury, composed of notable figures in the art world played a pivotal role in selecting the deserving winner. Chaired by Alex Farquharson, Director of Tate Britain, the panel included Martin Clark, Cédric Fauq, Melanie Keen, and Helen Nisbet. Their collective expertise ensured a fair and insightful evaluation of the shortlisted artists.

The shortlisted artists for 2023 —Jesse Darling, Ghislaine Leung, Rory Pilgrim, and Barbara Walker —have collectively woven a rich tapestry in modern British art. Commended for their unique and impactful presentations, each artist skillfully addressed the challenges and uncertainties of our contemporary world. Themes of vulnerability and unpredictability echoed throughout their works, providing a powerful voice to the complexities of our time.

Jesse Darling: The Turner Prize Winner

Jesse Darling’s recent artistic endeavors, spanning sculpture, installation, text, and drawing, captured the discerning jury’s attention. The adept use of materials, transforming commonplace objects into a mesmerizing and somewhat delirious world, showcased Darling’s creativity. Concrete, welded barriers, hazard tape, office files, and net curtains are his tools of trade. They became mediums through which conventional notions surrounding labor, class, British identity, and power dynamics were disrupted.

The winning work, Delirious, is a harmonious blend of thoughts and ideas effectively utilized to interrogate salient issues. They include austerity, Brexit, the pandemic, and the hostile immigration policy.  Using frilly curtains and a maypole adorned with police tape and anti-pigeon spikes, Darling creates a visual narrative that communicates volumes. The artist contends that British towns, now bearing the scars of austerity, Brexit, and COVID, are portrayed vividly in his work.

Fostering Contemporary British Art

As one of the most renowned visual arts prizes globally, the Turner Prize plays a crucial role in fostering public discourse on contemporary British art. Awarded to an artist born or based in the UK, the prize recognizes outstanding exhibitions or presentations within the past twelve months.

An exhibition of the four shortlisted artists is currently on display at Towner Eastbourne until April 14, 2024. Curated by Noelle Collins, Exhibitions and Offsite Curator at Towner Eastbourne, the Turner Prize 2023 is an integral part of Towner 100. The event celebrates arts and culture across Eastbourne and Sussex in commemoration of Towner Eastbourne’s centenary.

The Future at Tate Britain

The Turner Prize will return to Tate Britain for the first time since 2018 for its 40th anniversary next year. This milestone reflects the prize’s enduring legacy and continued commitment to recognizing and celebrating the best in contemporary British art.

The Turner Prize 2023 stands as a testament to the vibrancy and innovation within the British art scene. Jesse Darling rightfully claims the spotlight for their exceptional contribution to the field. His work leaves an indelible mark on the history of this prestigious award.

Jesse Darling is the Turner Prize winner for 2023. What do you think about his art? Share your thoughts. Leave a comment.